In article <01bc9000$caca8140$1e03c8cd@NorthStar.NorCom.mb.ca>, towers@norcom.mb.ca says...

[most deleted, but this was too ironic...!;-]
>If anyone
>wants the best lenses (once again---consistently the best, i.e. all makers
>make a few ***** excellent lenses!!) then go for Leica and Contax cameras.
>
>Some people also buy a brand for snob appeal, or because they think the
>more $$$$$, the better results. Ha,ha,ha.......ha. :-) :-)
[...]

Guess "German-is-better" advertising/image got to you, huh...?;-)
(Guess I would disagree with your conclusion...;-)
Hope This Helps...;-)
(David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether )